Scaffolding Presentation

Scaffolding

The University of TennesseeOffice of Environmental Health & Safety

What is a Scaffold?

An elevated, temporary work

platform

Three Basic Types:

Supported

Suspended

Aerial Lifts

Do employees working on scaffolds need to be trained?

HazardsFalls from elevation

Struck by

Electrocution

Scaffold collapse

Bad planking

Fall Hazards

Falls may occur:

While climbing

Working

Equipment failure

Protecting Workers from Falls

Guardrails, and/or

Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)

Guardrails

Front edge

Top rails

Midrails

Toeboards

Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)

Anchorage

Lifeline

Body harness

Must be trained to properly use PFAS

Fall Protection Requirements

PFAS instead of guardrails

PFAS & guardrails

PFAS on erectors and dismantlers

The ends of this scaffold are not properly guarded

Falling Object Protection

Hardhats

Barricade

Panels or screens

Canopy or net

Overhead Power Lines

Ten foot rule recommended

Scaffold Support Example #1

Inadequate support – in danger of collapse?

Scaffold Support Example #2

Good support

Essential Elements of Safe Scaffold Construction

Appropriate construction

Proper access

Competent person

Scaffold Platform Construction

This is not a properly constructed scaffold

Platforms must:

Fully planked

Able to support

18 inches wide

Scaffold Platform Construction

Gaps

Support

Overlap

Planks not properly overlapped

Scaffold Platform Construction

No paint

Graded wood

Fully planked

Matching components

Stability

Locking

Scaffold Height

20’

No more than four times its minimum base dimension

5’

Final Rule Summary and Explanation

Q: When is a competent person required for scaffolding?

Answer:

To - select and direct employees who erect, dismantle, move or alter scaffolds.

To – determine if it is safe for employees to work on or from a scaffold during storms or high winds and to ensure that a personal fall arrest system or wind screens protect these employees.

To – train employees involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting scaffolds to recognize associated work hazards.

To – inspect scaffolds and scaffold components for visible defects before each work shift and after any occurrence which could effect the structural integrity of the scaffold.

The competent person must be capable of identifying existing andpredictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions, which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

Final Rule Summary and Explanation

Q: When is a qualified person required for scaffolding?

Answer:

Same as the qualified person with the following exceptions:

To - design and load scaffold in accordance with that design.

To – design rigging, and platforms for suspension scaffolds and make swaged attachments or spliced eyes on wire suspension ropes.

A Qualified Person is one who by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or by extensive knowledge, training, and experience has successfully demonstrated his/her ability to solve or resolve problems related to the subject matter, the work , or the project

Final Rule Summary and Explanation

Q: When is an engineer required?

Answer:

To design – the direct connections of masons’ multi-point adjustable scaffolds; scaffolds that are to be moved when employees are on them; pole scaffolds over 60 feet; tube and coupler over 125 feet; frame scaffolds over 125 feet and to design brackets on fabricated frame scaffolds used to support cantilevered loads in addition to workers.

The standard requires a registered professional engineer to perform these duties.

Platform Ends

No Cleats

Unless cleated or restrained by hooks, must extend over support by at least 6 inches

What’s w

rong here?

Supported Scaffolds

This support is not adequate!

Supports

Restraints

Foundation

This is a great example of what can happen when construction workers fail to investigate the site where their scaffold is being erected, and base plates are not used. The scaffold in question (now taken down) punched a hole through the downtown sidewalk. The workers failed to realize that the sidewalk was only made from blacktop, and it had a basement under it. EXAMPLE OF POINT LOADING!!

Proper Scaffold AccessPermitted types of access:

Ladders

Stair towers

Ramps & walkways

May use building stairs and come out window

Scaffold Access

Do not access by crossbracesEnd Frame

Crossbraces

Other scaffold

Ladders

End Frames

Suspension Scaffolds

Platform suspension

Recognize hazards

Prevent swaying

Support

Competent person

PFAS

Moving Scaffolds

Level surface

2 to 1 ration

Outriggers

Competent person

Employees can’t be on a moving scaffold unless:

Employees can’t be on scaffold part beyond the wheels

Fatal Fact – Moving a Lift

Employee was operating an aerial lift, with an extendable boom rotating work platform.

The boom was fully extended and the machine apparently ran over some bricks, causing the boom to flex or spring, throwing the employee from the basket.

The employee fell (head first) 37 feet to a concrete surface below.

Don’t use Shore or Lean-to Scaffolds

Shore scaffoldsupported scaffold which is placed against a building or structure and held in place with props

Lean-to scaffoldsupported scaffold which is kept erect by tilting it toward and resting it against a building or structure

Using Scaffolds

A covered scaffold has special wind load considerations

Snow or Ice

Storms or High Winds

Tag lines

Protect suspensionropes

Fatal Fact – Ice & No Guardrails

A laborer was working on the third level of a tubular welded frame scaffold which was covered with ice and snow

The scaffold was not fully decked, there was no guardrail and no access ladder

The worker slipped and fell head first 20 feet to the pavement below

Overhead Bricklaying from Supported Scaffolds

A guardrail or personal fall arrest system is required on all sides except the side where the work is being done

Competent Person

Identify hazards

Corrective action

Storm / High Winds

Trainer

Crew selection

Scaffold Inspection

Deformed bearer

A competent person will inspect scaffolds for visible defects before each shift and after any alterations

Defective parts must be immediately repaired.

Scaffold Erection

Compe

tent

Perso

n

Erected only under the supervision of a:

A scaffold at a church being constructed in Tennessee. Someone must have been watching over these folks, because they finished the job without the scaffold falling down

Training Requirements

Electrical presence

Falling objects

Fall protection

Proper use

Load capacities

Retrain

Training Erectors

Recognize hazards

Correct procedures

Avoid the Main Hazards of Scaffolds

Falls from elevation

Scaffold collapse

Bad Planking

Getting struck by falling tools or debris

Electrocution

SummaryRemember to:

Use appropriate scaffold construction methods

Erect, move, or alter scaffold properlyProtect from falling objects or tools

Ensure stable accessUse a competent person

Train on scaffold construction and the hazards involved with scaffoldsInspect scaffold before each shift and after alterationDetermine fall protection requirements

That’s all folks